MSU Board of Trustees votes to lease portion of former Flint Journal building

Michigan State University's Board of Trustees has approved to move forward on a lease agreement with Uptown Reinvestment Corporation for a portion of the former Flint Journal property on the corner of East First and Harrison streets in downtown Flint. MLive file photo

FLINT, MI. -- Michigan State University's Board of Trustees Friday, Jan. 25, voted to pursue a lease agreement for a portion of the former Flint Journal building, owned by Uptown Reinvestment Corp.

A spokesman from the university confirmed the vote took place at the board's Friday morning meeting.

The purchase by Uptown Reinvestment included the newspaper's former printing facilities and neighboring main building at 200 E. First St.

Tim Herman, president of Uptown, was not available for immediate comment.

MSU's College of Human Medicine had announced plans in late 2011 to expand its medical education and public health programs in Flint, utilizing a $2.8 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

The property consists of 200,000 square feet of building space and more than 5 acres of land.

The lease includes about 40,000 square feet of office and teaching space in the building, according to a press statement from MSU officials.

The agreement will allow the College of Human Medicine to expand the public health program, bringing an estimated 100 third- and fourth-year medical students to Flint, MSU said today.

It will also be used for new MSU public health researchers, who are being recruited to the region, according to the MSU statement.

Financing arrangements must still be finalized before the lease can be signed, according to the statement.

“We are delighted with today’s next step toward expanding our college’s program in public health and medical education in downtown Flint and feel that the former Flint Journal building is an ideal setting for learning and research," said Dr. Marsha Rappley, dean of the MSU College of Human Medicine, in a written statement.

"MSU continues to work closely with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Uptown Reinvestment Corporation and other partners on these plans and we look forward to working together to find solutions to important public health issues in Flint.”